An electric car maker plans to open a factory in a northern Indiana plant that once made parts for recreational vehicles. The plant in Elkhart will be Think North America's first in the U.S. and provide much-needed jobs in a city that has been struggling since the RV industry collapsed during the recession.

Think North America, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based Think Global, projects its new factory could have 415 full-time jobs by 2013. Think Global currently makes its compact, two-door electric passenger cars at a plant in Finland.

The Elkhart City Council has approved a 10-year tax abatement plan for the company.